Lighting-fixture shade holder



I. WOLARSKY 1,761,511

LIGHTING FIXTURE SHADE HOLDER June 3, 1930.

Filed March 2, 1929 1 \lll Q l T 5 I n m J aim W mm imi r 1, MENTOR 4/ fife/ore MQ/arsl-g 45' I I BY ATTORNEY Patented June 3, 1930 nnrrsn stares ISIDGRE WOLARSKY, OF ,MOUN'I. VERNON,-NEW YORK LIGHTING-"FIXTURE SHADE HOLDER amen Application filed March 2, 1929. Serial No. 344,084.

The present invention-relates to lighting fixture shade holders, and is more particularly directed toward devices for holding shades or globes in kitchen units, commercial lighting fixtures and the like, which employ shades or globes having fairlylarge necks.

.Glassware of the type employed in these fixtures is generally provided with a lip or bead about the upper part or neck of the globe or shade, and it has heretofore been the practice to support such shades by devices engageable with such lip or bead. These shades are made to have various normal sizes dependent upon the size of the unit and fitter which is to beemployed. It is,

however, impossible in manufacturing glassware to have the glass parts made accurately to size and as a result ot'this difficulty shades or globes of the same nominal size made by various manufacturers may, vary as much as in size. s

Inasmuchas these shades, in the larger sizes, are quite heav it is essential in a satistactory shade holder to insure that there is no possibility of the shade becoming loose after it has been secured in place; and the present invention contemplates a positive lock in the same whereby the shade is securely held in placeand it cannot force the shade-holding devices to a position to permit the shade to loosen.

According to the present invention the shade receiving skirt or band of the fixture carries shade supporting devices which includeaspring protractable plunger to em gage the shade and an externally accessible knob or other similar device to retract the plunger to release the shade. 7 The device may have a knob controlled interlock to secure the plunger inprotractedposition so that the shade lip cannot cam itoutwardly, and/or the entire device may be bodily adjustable to compensate for variations insize.

of shadelipss V V y I The accompanying drawings show, for purposes of illustration, several of the many possible embodiments in'which the present invention may take form, it being understood 3 and a.

that these drawings are illustrative of the invention rather-than limiting the same.

In these drawings: a

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an enclosed lighting unit;

Figure 2 is a section taken at line 2-2 of Figure 1; y r

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on'the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is. a sectional view illustrating Resales the component parts of the device illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an assembly view of a slightly 7 modified form of construction; and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a still further modified form of construction.

A typical enclosed lighting unit, as illustrated in Figure 1, contains a support 10 which may be made ofstamped sheet metal, porcelain, or other material which is employedin such devices. It has a shade receiving skirt or band adapted to receive the neck or lip 12 ota shade or globe 13.

The shade is supported by-shade supporting devices 14:, 15 and 16. The devices 14 and 15 may be pressed in from the skirt, formed integral with it, orin the form of lugs soldered or'riveted t0 the skirt. These two de- Vices are generally'fixed in position'and are adapted to receive the bead or lip of the shade opposite the device 16. The shade supporting device 16 is of special construction and is adapted to releasably hold the shade in place and to securely lock it in place. The details-of the oonstructionof one form of shade holding device are shown in Figures The skirtor fixture body" 11 carries a threaded-bushing17. This bushing may be secured in place by soldering or riveting and may tor'example be threaded to have pipe threadsas indicated at 18. This bushing isadapted to receive a tubular member '19 externally threaded as indicated. The

threads on this tubular member preferably do not extend the full length of the member; They are preferably cut short slightly at the left or inner end,'as indicated at 20, thereby making it impossible to completely thread the member 19 through the bushing. This tubular member has an inner chamber 21 and an apertured end wall 22. The barrel or tubular member 20 is threaded into the bushing 18 from the inside of the skirt and the lock-washer 23 is threaded on to the tubular member from the left, the lockwasher being preferably brought against the bushing to secure the tubular member in place.

The tubular member 19 is adapted to receive-a plunger 24 and coiled spring 25. The

inner end of the plunger 24 has a rounded nose or tip 26, while the outer end is threaded as indicated at 27, and may be provided with a recess 28. The plunger is adapted to be passed into the tubular member or barrel 19 from the left or inside as indicated in Figure 4, so that the spring 25 is housed between the shoulders 29 and 30. The smaller threaded end of the plunger passes out through the hole in the barrel 19, and knob or end cap 31 is threaded on to the plunger. In order that the end cap cannot he accidentally removed, the end of the plunger is upset as indicated at 32. The knob 31 is an internally threaded portion 33, adapted to be threaded on to the end 31 of the barrel or tubular member 20.

The device shown in Figures 3 and 4 operates as follows: The complete device 16 is constructed to permit threading the barrel or tubular member 19 back and forth in the bushing 18 and securing it in place by the lock-washer or nut 23. In this manner one is able to compensate for considerable variation in the size of the beads or lips on shadeholders of the same nominal size. Such a range of adjustment is indicated by the full line and dotted line positions in Figure 3. When the lock nut is thus tightened and the barrel secured in fixed body, one can operate the plunger 25 by turning it backward enough to unthread the knob or cap 31 from the end of the barrel and can then pullthe plunger out sufliciently to permit lowering the shade. W' hen the shade is replaced, the plunger is withdrawn and shade raised to position and then the pressure released to permit the plunger to close in against the shade. The cap is given-a slight turn so as to thread it on to the barrel and this effective- 1y resists any tendency to push the plunger out. The weight of the shade, acting through the lip, exerts a considerable horizontal force tending to move the plunger outwardly. This force is so great in heavy shades that it would be inconvenient to provide a strong enough coiled spring to resist the same.

In the modified form of construction indicated in Figure 5. the parts are somewhat the same as above described in detail. The barrel 19 has a reduced end portion 19 threaded as indicated. The plunger 2 1 has a reduced end portion 2 1 adapted to pass into the smooth hole drilled in the knob or cap 31. The plunger 24 also has a shoulder 2 1 normally spaced a slight distance from the shoulder 29 of the barrel 19. In this form of construction the knob 31 is made small enough to permit passing the washer 23 over it so that it can be threaded on to the barrel 19. The lost motion connection between the shoulder 24 and 29 makes it possible to turn the knob 31' on the threads without pushing the plunger inwardly. This eliminates the possibility of exerting undue pressure on the globe or shade when the knob is given the final turn which prevents the plunger from being pushed out from the inside. This form of construction also has the advantage of making it possible to completely assemble the tubular member and enclosed parts. They may then be threaded as a unit into the bushing 18 and the lock-washer 23 threaded on to the barrel to lock the parts in place. With this form of construction it is unnecessary for the fixture manufacturer to disassemble the parts.

In the form of construction shown in Figure 6. the barrel or tubular member 10 is preferably threaded for the entire length, the same the barrel 19. The plunger 41 is provided with a pin 12 adapted to enter the slot 13 in the barrel. The plunger 41 is also threaded into a knob 44 and is surrounded by a coiled spring 15 which is held between a shoulder 16 on the plunger and the flange 4'? on the end of the barrel. This device maybe threaded into the bushing 18 in the same manner as previously described and may be adjusted to proper position as above set forth. In this form of construction the knob may be pulled out when the plunger is turned to bring the pin to the open part of the slot 13, and the plunger may be locked against axial movement by turning the plunger to bring the pin to the position as indicated in the full lines in the drawing.

Where there is no objection to the possibility of completely unthreading these devices. one can cut the threads on the entire length of the tubular member. or in the case of the barrel 40, the threading may be stopped near the slot 13. The devices may then be threaded in and out from the outside.

The devices which have been above described are well suited for the purpose of supporting various sized shades or globes. The parts may be made on a screw machine and those of the type shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be readily assembled with the fixture canopy'by the manufacturer. The parts are assembled as above described and the purchaser of the canopy may then adjust the holder according to the size of shade or globe which happens to be used in the pan ticular fixture. The shade may be easily released when itis desired to do so. There is no possibility of accidentally releasing it.

What is claimedis: V

1. In a lighting fixture, a support for shades of the type having a lip, comprising, a shade receiving band adapted to receive the lip of the shade and having a threaded aperture therein, a. tubular member threaded into said aperture, and-a spring pressed plunger carried in the tubular member and provided with an externally accessible knob and a shade engaging tip, the member being adjustable by threading it in the aperture to compensate for variations in the size of shades, the plunger being capable of being withdrawn by the knob to allow the lip on the shade to pass by the plungertip. i

2. ln a lighting fixture, a support for shades of the type havin a lip,comprising,a

shade receiving band adapted to receive the lip of the shade and having a threaded aperture therein, a tubular member threaded into said aperture from the inside of the band, the threaded member having an abutment to prevent threading the member all the way through the aperture, a lock nut threaded on the member for securing it in place, and a spring pressed plunger carried in the tubular member and provided with an externally accessible knob and a shade engaging tip, the member being adjustable by threading it in the aperture to compensate for variationsin the size of shades, the plunger being capable of being withdrawn by the knob to allow the lip on the shade to pass by the plunger tip.

3 In a lighting fixture, a support for shades of the type having a lip, comprising, a shade receiving band adapted to receive the lip of the shade and having a threaded aperture therein, a tubular member threaded into said aperture, a spring pressed plunger can. ried in the tubular member and provided with an externally accessible knob and a shade engaging tip, the member being adjustable by threading it in the aperture to compensate for variations in the size of shades, the plunger being capable of being withdrawn by the knob to allow the 11p on the shade to pass by the plunger tip, and a knob controlled locking device for interlocking the plunger and tubular member to prevent forcing the plunger outward.

4:. In a lighting fixture, a support for shades of the type having a'lip, comprising, a shade receiving band adapted'to receive the lip of the shade and having a'threaded aperture-therein, a tubular member threaded, into said aperture, and a spring pressed plunger earned in the tubular member andprovided with an externally accessible knob and a shade engaging tip, the member being adjustable bythreading it in the aperture to compensate for variations in the size of shades, the plunger being capable of being withdrawn by the knob to allow the lip on the shade to pass by the plunger tip, the

tubular member and knob having cooperative threads adapted to be brought into threaded engagement when the plunger is in its inner position for holding the plunger against axial movement.

5. In a lighting fixture, a support for shade receiving band adapted to receive the lip of the shade and having a threaded aperture therein, a tubular member threaded into said aperture, and a spring pressed plunger being a lost motion connection between the knob and plunger to permit threading the knob onto the tubular memberwithout mov ingt-he plunger tip further toward'the shade.

6. A shade holding device for use with shade receiving supports having threaded apertures, comprising an externally threaded. barrel adapted to be threaded into such apertures and having an interiorly disposed apertured flange at its outer end, a plunger carried in said barrel and having a shade engagingtip, a coiled spring interposed between the flange and a shoulder on the plunger and tending to protract the plunger, and a knob connected to the plunger to retract the plunger, the shade holding device being adjustable for variations in size of shade by turning in the threaded'aperture.

7. A. shade holding device for use with shade receiving supports'having threaded apertures, comprising an externally threaded barrel adapted to be threaded into such aper tures and having an ,interiorly disposed apertured fiange at its outer end, a plunger carried in said barrel and having a shade engaging tip, a coiled spring interposed be tween the flange and a shoulder on the plunger and tending to protract the plunger, a knob connected to the plunger to-retract the plunge and a knob controlled locking de vice interposed between the plunger and barrel for preventing axialmovement of the plunger, the shade holding device being adjus'table for variations in size of shade by turning it in the threaded aperture.

8. A shade holding device for use with shade receiving supports having threaded apertures, comprising externally threaded barrel adapted to be threaded into such apertures and having an interiorly disposed apertured flange at its outer end, a plunger carried in said barrel and having a shade engaging 't1p, a' coiled springfinterposed between shades ot the type having a l p, compris ng, a

the flange and a shoulderon the plunger and tending to protract the plunger, and a knob connected to the plunger to retract the plan ger, the barrel and knob having cooperative threads adapted to be brought into threaded engagement when the plunger is in its inner position for holding the plunger against axial movement, the shade holding device being adjustable for variations in size of shade by turning it in the threaded aperture.

9. A shade holding device for use with shade receiving supports having threaded apertures, comprising an externally threaded barrel adapted to be threaded into such apertures and having an interiorly disposed apertured flange at its outer end, a plunger carried in said barrel and having a shade engaging tip, a coiled spring interposed between the flange and a shoulder on the plunger and tending to protract the plunger, and a knob having a lost motion connection with the plunger and adapted to retract the plunger, the knob and barrel having cooperative threads adapted to be brought into threaded engagement when the plunger is in its inner position for holding the plunger against axial movement, the lost motion connection permitting threading the knob into the tubular member without moving the plunger tip to exertpressure on the shade, the shade holding de vice being adjustable for variations in size of shade by turning it in the threaded aperture.

10. A shade holding device for use with shade receiving supports having threaded apertures, comprising an externally threaded barrel adapted to be threaded into such apertures and having an interiorly disposed apertured flange at its outer end, a plunger carried in said barrel and having a shade engaging tip, a coiled spring interposed between the flange and a shoulder on the plunger and tending to protractthe plunger, the plunger having a reduced outer end, and a knob permanently secured thereon by upsetting the extreme end of the plunger, the knob be ing adapted to retract the plunger, the knob and barrel having threads whereby these parts may be secured together to prevent axial movement of the plunger.

11. A shade holding device for use with shade receiving supports having threaded apertures, comprising an externally threaded barrel adapted to be threaded into .such apertures and having an interiorly disposed apertured flange at its outer end, a plunger carried in said barrel and having a shade engaging tip, a coiled spring interposed between the flange and a shoulder on the plunger and tendingto protract the plunger, the plunger having a reduced outer end, and a knob slidably carried in said outer end and permanently secured thereon by upsetting the extreme end of the plunger, the knob being adapted to retract the plungenthe knob and barrel having threads whereby these parts may be secured together to prevent axial movement of the plunger, the slidability of the knob on the plunger allowing the knob and barrel to be threaded together without exerting pressure on a shade.

12. In a lighting fixture, a support for shades of the type having a lip, comprising, a shade receiving band, a reciprocatory plunger carried in an externally threaded barrel supported by the band, a spring to urge the plunger toward the shade lip, and a knob c011- nected to the plunger and threaded to receive the threaded portion of the barrel, the knob, when unthreaded from the barrel, being effective to withdraw the plunger from the shade, the parts when threaded together acting to prevent axial. movement of the plunger so that it cannot be forced outwardly by the shade.

ISIDORE \VOLARSKY. 

